News
Half-hearted UDA and CMC actions recreate waste dump site
View(s):Torrington Avenue’s abandoned Urban Development Authority (UDA) property is reverting to its former self, becoming a dumpsite for non-degradable garbage once again.
During a follow up visit by the Sunday Times, it was observed that weeds have re-emerged with the rains, and once more had turned into a dump site as there were discarded tyres, plastic ice cream containers, glass bottles and rubbish.
Back to the garbage dump and inset picture shows thrown items collecting water. Pix by Eshan Fernando
Nearly a month has passed after the CMC got the UDA to remove garbage dumped and clear the shrub, following the Sunday Times expose.
However, the newly dumped garbage had already retained rainwater and created a mosquito breeding site. This was seen during the dengue eradication week and should have been detected and removed by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). The property’s front portion barricaded by a blue corrugated sheet also had a CMC notice pasted on it saying that CMC rates of Rs 184, 804 are owed.
CMC’s Chief Revenue Inspector Lalith Jayawansha Rajapaksha confirmed that municipality rates have not been paid for over 10 years, and if unpaid the land would be acquired.
However, the residents in Torrington Avenue complained that the partial clearance of the property and lack of follow ups by the CMC and the current property owner UDA, disregards public health and safety. They said that the CMC tries to cover up lapses by taking little action when media presence is noticed.
Adding to the issues was the abrupt decision to shift the CMC’s Jawatte pest control unit situated in the building near the Urban Development property, to Maligakanda office.
This move had upset the residents at 113 low-income families at the nearby ’189 Watta who are dealing with rat infestation and have often seen serpents apart from the mosquito problem.
A resident of the ‘watta’, Yamuna Vinodani complained about the CMC’s pest control unit being shifted. She recalled that residents used to get rat poison, help to remove serpents as well as even get insecticide sprayed.
Three-wheel driver Dawson Ernest, 71, told the Sunday Times that the residents of the ‘watta’ were tossing garbage into the abandoned land next to the CMC pest control office.
The Chief Medical officer of the Colombo Municipal Council Dr M.A.S.G. Ratnawardhana explained that she had decided to shift the CMC’s Jawatta pest control office considering that the office lacks a licence under the registrar of pesticides.
Dr. Ratnawardhana
Dawson Ernest
Dr. Ratnawardhana affirmed that the decision was based on the Maligakanda office being licenced. “We cannot keep chemicals and pesticides in a place which is unlicenced. If someone breaks into the premises, or some issue happens, we are responsible.’’
Dr Ratnawardhana said the Jawatta unit would be integrated with the Maligakanda pest control, where there are PHI officials certified to handle pest eradication chemicals. Apart from that , workers could be easily mobilised, assigned and monitored under the supervision of certified officials.
CMC’s Public health department had also planned to increase the number of officials certified to handle pest control chemicals.
However, the Sunday Times learned that the building of the pest control unit is to be handed over to the Jawatte cemetery management, which is also governed by the CMC.
The Sunday Times learns that some CMC employees have resisted the move.
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